CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue XI, 10 March 1894, Page 217

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

THE annual meetings of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, brought to a close recently, were held for the third time in Auckland since the formation of the Union ten years ago. These meetings were characterised by an earnestness and enthusiasm even exceeding that of previous years. We are enabled to give this week a photo group of the ministers and delegates, from all parts of the colony, to the Council of the Union. While jealously guarding the individual independence of each church, Congregationalists firmly believe in the strength of perfect freedom to bind together those whose

opinions and aims are identical. Relying on this principle, the Union not only fulfils the purpose of bringing together ministers and representatives from the churches of the denomination for mutual counsel and encouragement, but is enabled to initiate and carry out schemes of Christian activity which a single church could not undertake. Sacerdotalism has no place in the Congregational polity. The lay element preponderates over the ministerial, and would do so still more largely but for the frequently insurmountable difficulties of time and distance to business men. Ministers and laymen are equally eligible for the honour of presiding over the meetings of the Council. The admirable and efficient manner in which the chairman for the year, Mr A. W. Beavan, of Christchurch, dis-